Generally speaking, power banks are manufactured using two main types of rechargeable batteries: Lithium-ion and Lithium-polymer. And of the two, Lithium-ion power banks are the most common ones. However, Lithium-polymer power banks have been recently gaining ground in the market.
The two main questions customers have regarding Lithium-ion and Lithium-polymer power banks are "How different do they perform?" and especially "Which one is better?". Judging from our experience, there''s too much confusion concerning this topic. To clear it up, we are exploring and comparing the main differences between Lithium-ion and Lithium-polymer portable chargers.
Let''s begin with the basics, what''s exactly a lithium-ion battery?
According to Battery University, a free educational website offering hands-on battery information, the lithium-ion battery, or Li-ion, was conceived in the early nineties as an answer to safety concerns over rechargeable metallic lithium batteries. Sony first commercialized it in 1991, and since then, it has become the most widely used battery in the electronic market.
There are four main components of Li-ion batteries:
On the other hand, lithium-polymer batteries, also known as LiPo, have evolved from Li-ion batteries and follow the same design. For making the battery conductive at room temperature, nowadays, the type of electrolyte in the manufacturing of most LiPo cells is a gel, while a microporous separator replaces the traditional one.
As expected, the change in electrolytes results in slight differences between one another.
On the one hand, Li-ion cells usually have a low manufacturing cost, and while they have a limited mAh capacity, they tend to last longer as they don''t have the memory effect. This phenomenon occurs when the battery experiences losses in usable capacity from charging-discharging and recharging over time.
On the other hand, LiPo cells are made thinner and lighter, to the point of resembling a credit card, and can store slightly higher specific energy than Li-ion ones, but they''re more expensive to manufacture. Besides, they do suffer from the memory effect and have shorter lifespans.
The following table summarizes the most significant differences between Li-ion and LiPo power banks:
As the table shows, the main advantage of power banks with LiPo batteries is that they''re more compact and lightweight. Besides, two of the main features users are looking for in a power bank are how compact it is and how much power it can deliver.
Thus, logically, LiPo batteries offer both of these qualities; in fact, they allow manufacturers to capitalize and play with different shapes and sizes (lipstick, credit card) as well as lightweight, making them more attractive to buyers.
However, despite being less safe, most renowned brands still implement Li-ion batteries due to two main things: low cost and durability. In the long term, users want a power bank that not only looks fashionable, but also feels durable, and Li-ion power banks don''t become harder to recharge with the pass of time as it''s the case of LiPo power banks. In addition, manufacturers can save costs in their production, while offering good quality and as much power as LiPo power banks.
As for the drawbacks, LiPo batteries are more expensive, increasing the total production cost of such power banks, and according to Battery University, "they have identical charge and discharge characteristics to other Li-ion systems, but their foil package may be less durable than Li-ion in the cylindrical package".
The main disadvantages of Li-ion power banks consist of the fact that they suffer from aging, even when not in use, and carry a certain risk of explosion. The rate of aging can vary depending on various factors, including temperature, storage conditions, and battery management systems.
It''s unfair to say that one type of battery is better than the other when both offer great benefits, as well as minor disadvantages. Overall, LiPo power banks are better for shoppers looking for portability, while Li-ion ones are better suited for those looking for durability.
Regarding safety concerns, at first glance, LiPo power banks have improved safety. However, all batteries, regardless of their design, can explode, but they are not hazardous with the right handling and use. Therefore, if you don''t overcharge Li-ion power banks or expose them to harsh conditions, there''s no need to worry about possible combustion, especially when most renowned brands have equipped them with multiprotection systems.
The risk of explosion or combustion varies depending on the battery chemistry, design, manufacturing quality, and usage conditions. It is important to note that lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries are generally considered safe when used properly and manufactured by reputable brands.
For more about this topic, check our past article: "Can power banks explode?". There you can learn how to choose a power bank with little risk of explosion, how to avoid a fire, and how to identify signs of malfunction that might result in an explosion.
Overall, there isn''t much difference between one type of power bank and the other, particularly regarding their performance. Just make sure that the one you choose meets the requirements of your devices, and that they''re equipped with a solid multiprotection system.
While it''s undeniable that more electronic devices will start incorporating LiPo batteries due to their compact size, big companies will also continue trying to cut down expenses by using Li-ion batteries. For this reason, Li-ion power banks are not going anywhere anytime soon, but the technology is ever-changing so it''s likely to see power banks with a new type of batteries shortly.
Written by RaduUpdated January 18, 2024
Hi my powerbank is baseus starlight 20000mah.what charger should I use to charge the powerbank faster?can I use a charger 5v/4a and a type c USB to charge the powerbank or iPad charger 10w with type c USB to charge?any info?
Being compatible with both Quick Charge 3.0 and PD 3.0, your power bank should be able to input a maximum of 18W. For this reason, the right charger to pair it up is one with a similar output, not the iPad charger, which only outputs 10W, as the power bank will take significantly longer to recharge. Now, we advise you to go for a PD charger as it’s been proven to be more reliable and faster with USB Type-C input ports.
Your chances of calling for help are very limited.
A Power Bank would be able to solve your problems.
It is a portable battery charger capable of charging many devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, portable speakers, bluetooth headphones and much more.
A power bank contains a rechargeable battery capable of storing charge which can then be later used to charge the electronic devices mentioned above.
But, is a power bank a lithium ion battery? Lithium Ion batteries are the most commonly used rechargeable batteries used in power banks due to them having a high energy density and low discharge rate as well as being cost effective.
There are other types of rechargeable battery available which can include Lithium-Polymer (Li-Po) and Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cad) that are used for power banks.
The power bank helps solve many problems, the main one being that you can charge your devices when you are not at home or office where a power outlet is located.
It gives you peace of mind when travelling far places where these power outlets become harder to find.
Let''s take a close look at the power bank.
At the heart of the power bank is the Rechargeable battery.
Without this main component the power bank would be useless.
A rechargeable battery has the ability to be charged, discharged into a load and then recharged multiple times.
Normal batteries (disposable ones) can only be used once and then have to be disposed of not making them a viable option for power banks.
Other parts of the power bank include; Charging circuit, Battery protection circuit, and Boost converter arging circuit
The main purpose of the charging circuit is to provide a constant DC (direct current) or pulsed DC power to the rechargeable battery of the power bank.Battery protection circuit
There are going to instances when you charge the power bank and forget to remove the charger, leaving it plugged in longer than required.
Lucky for us, the battery protection has the job of protecting the power bank''s battery from overcharging.
It also protects the battery from high temperatures.Boost converter
The boost converter circuit in the power bank steps low voltages between 3.7 – 3.85 volts to the standard operating voltage of 5 volts (which is used by most electronic devices). Why do power banks use a lithium ion battery?
Lithium ion rechargeable batteries aren''t the only batteries available when designing a power bank, however, they are the most common.
Early on, Nickel-Cadmium was the go rechargeable battery for portable equipment and wireless communication.
Lithium ions are now the preferred battery of choice, being used in almost all portable electronics and they can even be found in Electric vehicles.
The Lithium Ion battery contains electrolytes which lithium ions travel through from the negative to the positive electrode.
But, how do we know which is better to use in a power bank?
There are a couple requirements to consider of what will make an effective power bank which is ultimately determined by the battery. CostLife cycleCapacity Cost
First on the list is cost.
With anything you buy, you do not want it to cost you an arm or leg.
The same can be said when buying a power bank.
While both batteries are relatively expensive to manufacture, the cost to energy ratio of the Lithium Polymer battery is higher.
So, it is more cost effective to use a Lithium-Ion battery for a power bank as it will cost you less to get the same amount of energy as a Lithium-Polymer battery. Life Cycle
It would be pointless if you could only use your power bank 10 times and then have to dispose of it.
The aim is to have a power bank that will last you a long time.
The life cycle of a power bank is the amount of times you can charge and discharge it before the battery wears out.
There are many factors that determine the life cycle of a battery like capacity, storage, etc.
But, generally, Lithium-Ion batteries are known to have a higher cycle count compared to their Lithium-Polymer counterparts. Capacity
Finally on the list of requirements for an effective power bank is its capacity
The capacity of a power bank is the amount of charge it can store and thus charge other portable electronic devices.
It wouldn''t make sense if a power bank held less charge than your mobile phone.
This would mean that you would have to charge the power bank a couple of times in order to fully charge your mobile phone rendering the power bank ineffective.
The capacity of a power bank correlates directly with the energy density of the battery it uses.
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